Electric bicycles have become increasingly popular among people of all ages as a convenient way to get around Los Angeles. They are especially popular among pre-teens and young teenagers who aren’t yet old enough to drive because they don’t require driver’s licenses. However, e-bikes can also be dangerous. Many of these bicycles are sold as direct-to-consumer kits, and some of the companies that manufacture e-bicycles cut corners on designs and components to maximize their profits. While this might also make e-bikes more affordable to end users, cost-cutting on components and design elements can also make these bicycles even more dangerous to riders as illustrated by a currently pending lawsuit filed by the parents of a young girl who died in an e-bicycle accident.
Tragic Outcome From Young Girls’ E-Bicycle Accident
On Jan. 31, 2021, Molly Steinsapsir, age 12, and her friend and neighbor, Eme Green, age 11, were watching television together after Green spent the night at Steinsapsir’s home. The two girls were close friends who only lived a few houses apart from each other and were excited to be able to spend some time together after the lockdowns of the pandemic.